Lobo Tire Options - research phase

[r0tax]

The ground clearance isn't a big issue for me.
I have yet to have any 'scraping scares'. I'm not rippin' Forest roads or anything, but I can navigate through most off pavement terrain/roads that I need to access to get to MTB and dirt bike trail heads.
I can get through washed out and muddy sections.
It won't be an off-road trail runner.
But if you can place and position the vehicle properly, you can likely get through a lot more than you'd expect.
I'd actually note the Lobo is of similar clearance (even more!) as some base model 90-2000s 'small pickups' (S10/Rangers).
Due to the Lobo ride height, you will generally have advantages for using/loading the bed, I quite like it for loading my moto in the back. Very easy to do solo.

The Seat isn't anything impressive. And is actually very poorly bolstered for the use-case of this vehicle. The driver seat should be bolstered, but then people would complain that they don't fit, and that its uncomfortable to get in/out of... When those people should clearly be buying another model.

The lights on the 2025, IMO, are great. The best I've ever used.

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[SteamedHams]

Thanks for doing a lot of the leg work. I spent some time this week also figuring out what to do about tires. Debated between swapping in some 245/50R19 (looking at the Vredestein Ultrac Pro @ $199/each), slightly larger 235/50R19 (Goodyear F1 Asym 6 @ $253/each), or size down to 18" wheels. Ended up deciding to move down to 18" for the added comfort of a taller sidewall, and because I felt with the 19" dinner plates it had a bit too much of a rubber band look.

Decided to get a set of bronze Konig Hyperspecs (shout out to America's Tire for price matching a random website that was about $50 cheaper a wheel compared to everywhere else). Wanted to wrap it in 245/55R18, but unfortunately nobody makes a summer tire in that size. Best would have been the Conti DWS06 Plus, but it didn't hold up all that well when autox'ing that tire in my Volvo. Thus, went with a slightly narrower (and taller) 235/60R18, which counter-intuitively had more summer options. Narrowed it down to the Pilot Sport 4 SUV @ $247/each, or the Goodyear F1 Asym 6 @ $245. Ultimately decided on the latter due to the extra tread life (20K mile warranty vs 30K miles warranty) and because it's newer tech (PS4s are getting a little long in the tooth since they're about 10 years old now while the Asym 6 has been out for less than a year).

Wheels and tires should be in later this week, so hopefully I'll have some photos to share once I get them mounted and my Goodwin lowering springs in.

Debating on whether to keep the dinner plates and throw some winter tires on them for trips up into the mountain, or sell them with the tires as a combo.

 

[Manning]

We are on parallel paths.

I came to the same conclusion regarding wanting to change to 18" Konig 'gram wheels, and the tire availability dilemma. Almost zero choices for summer only tires. While I love the idea of having a set of summer tires to autox, I ultimately decided that a set of Pirelli Pzero AS +3's in 245/55 will likely be the tires purchased. Just waiting on the bonus at work to see if the wheels and tires will be in the budget.

Of course there's a few summer tires available in 245/55-19's if the budget doesn't allow for the wheels this year.

I already have the Goodwin springs installed. Truck sits really nice now.

 

[Cancunbadlands]

You can go up to 245's

 

[UrbanRogue]

I just put on a set of Michelin Pilot Sport 4 SUV 245/50R19 on my Lobo with the turbo fan wheels. Summer tire 220 tread ware. I've run 2 autocross events this year in my area. I have to figure out how to drive the truck now that I have way better tires on it. It track straight as an arrow on the highways. I can feel the better grip on off ramps and on ramps.

 

[Gotch]

https://www.caranddriver.com/news/a69812063/2025-ford-maverick-lobo-summer-tires-grip-test/

Documented improvements on upgrading.

 

[shadow_munk]

I'm keeping a lookout at the new Goodyear Eagle All sesaons. more competition is always welcome

 

[Chops]

My latest favorite for replacing the OEM Wranglers on my Lobo is this Pirelli. Much better grip and has the “PNCS” noise canceling foam inside Kind of heavy at 32lbs though

 

[Chops]

I just put on a set of Michelin Pilot Sport 4 SUV 245/50R19 on my Lobo with the turbo fan wheels. Summer tire 220 tread ware. I've run 2 autocross events this year in my area. I have to figure out how to drive the truck now that I have way better tires on it. It track straight as an arrow on the highways. I can feel the better grip on off ramps and on ramps.

Would it be possible to post a pic of your new tire? Here is my OEM Wrangler:

 

[UrbanRogue]

Here are a few

picks of my Lobo with the new tires. No rubbing, they do fill up the wheel well

 

[insaniti]

So I went down the rabbit hole as well...came out of the other side deciding to go the 18" wheel route with the continentals. One thing to note, the turbo fan wheels are 30lbs a piece. The wheels I would go with are 21.4lbs a piece...that alone will make a massive difference in breaking and MPG. So maybe later this spring/early summer I'll pull the trigger, and then throw some blizzaks on the stock wheels.

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